Reinstall from external drive

[Irene_1]

I had to return a laptop I bought with Windows 8 and before returning it I backed up the entire system (programs & files) on a WD external drive and now want to reinstall it in a new Windows 8 laptop. Can anybody give me a step by step guide for this procedure? Thanks.

 

[rgd1101]

Reinstall the apps. and restore the files.

 

[WinOutreach2]

Restoring a full system backup is dependent on the tool used to create the backup, but if you used the Windows 7 File Recovery feature to create a system image, the instructions would be as follows:

• 
  ■Boot to a recovery environment, this could be a dedicated recovery drive or can be found on your installation media by selecting Repair my computer after confirming your language options.
  ■Select Troubleshoot, then select Advanced Options, and then select System Image Recovery and follow the steps.

 

[Irene_1]

Thanks, helpers. I created the backup using Windows 8 File History, taking the option to copy the entire system (took about 6 hours in total). I can see files sitting on the external drive but just need help on how to install them into the new laptop. Looked at lots of forums and although there's plenty of help on how to create the backup, there's virtually nothing on how to reinstall it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Irene_1]

I should have mentioned again that I'm not installing the backup into the same laptop that created it. Does this make a difference to the procedure?

 

[dodger46]

It does what it says on the tin, backs up files which are recoverable
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/how-use-file-history
It does not backup your entire system as far as I can see, the only way to do that is create a system image or clone your drive using 3rd party software. Good to create a Repair Drive and System Image anyway, once you're up and running

Create Recovery

1. Repair Disk
2. System Image
This can be achieved by typing 'Recovery' at your Start Screen, and from Settings choose Windows 7 File Recovery. This screen contains links to both the above. Ideally create on USB Flash drives (Too many failures on DVDs!)

 

[Irene_1]

Thanks, Dodger. I'll create a Repair Drive and System Image as you suggest once I've got everything back in place. However, I was under the impression a System Image had been copied to the external drive during the backup from my previous laptop. (This was the option selected rather than just the files). Are you saying it's not as simple as this? Not possible to clone the System Image directly to the external drive in one fell swoop without going through 3rd party software? Forgive this dummy, but I've never had to go down this path before. Cheers, Irene.

 

[dodger46]

Thanks, Dodger. I'll create a Repair Drive and System Image as you suggest once I've got everything back in place. However, I was under the impression a System Image had been copied to the external drive during the backup from my previous laptop. (This was the option selected rather than just the files). Are you saying it's not as simple as this? Not possible to clone the System Image directly to the external drive in one fell swoop without going through 3rd party software? Forgive this dummy, but I've never had to go down this path before. Cheers, Irene.

Not having used File History I'm unsure as to the extent of it's capabilities, it may well have created a System Image, in which case you could restore it to a new, clean drive, but I don't see the advantage if your replacement machine comes with W8 pre-installed. If I were you I'd just re-install any software you want, and restore any data files from your backup drive. That way you avoid Activation issues that would occur if you install an OS from a different machine onto your new one.

 

[Irene_1]

Thanks for that, Dodger. Yes, that was the bit that worried me - the fact that some things on the System Image on the external drive (if, in fact, it is there) are already installed on the new laptop, e.g. the OS and other pre-installed software, and I couldn't work out how a re-install would cope with the duplication. I'm just spitting chips at some of the neat programs I had installed that I no longer have the software for. Oh well, c'est la vie! The most important things are the docs and I should be pretty safe copying them over. Thanks a lot for your advice. Cheers, Irene.

 

[WinOutreach2]

File History is a data backup utility; it does not back up the operating system or applications. You will be able to restore your data, there is a quick video tutorial here from Windows Support on how, but you will not be able to restore any applications you had installed previously. You will need to install them from the installation files.

You may be able to use File History to find the installation files for programs which you downloaded in your Downloads folder. You can use these installation files to reinstall the applications, however, you may want to check with the manufacturer or download location to ensure that you still have the newest version in order to keep your applications up to date.